Sunday Sermon
sunday morning service 20th june 2010
Mark 14v43-72
In this section we have three scenes
1) the arrest and flight v43-52
Notice:
a. how it happened: it happens so quickly, violently and deceitfully v43-47
b. who keeps cool: only Jesus keeps a calm head v48-49
c. the effect on the disciples: the disciples run v50-52
· focus
v48-49
In the midst of all the chaos Jesus speaks.
1st he simply questions their approach. Why their violent approach?
After all he was with them this past week, simply teaching in the temple!!!
2nd he explains their actions! They were fulfilling scripture.
What scripture?
None are specifically quoted but we can look to Ps22(v11-13) Isa 53(v8), etc
His own prophecy to the disciples before it all happened: Mk8v31, 9v31, 10v33-34
None of this took Jesus by surprise.
Thus even in these questions Jesus is reaching out to his oppressor!!
App
Jesus allowed all this to happen for us!
He willingly submitted to this arrest for us.
He stayed while the others fled!
He is the Victor! He is God, he does not give up, he will not lose, he does not fall!!
Therefore we can rely on him!
There is nothing he will not do for us. Even if you fail him! He will not give up on you.
2) the trial v53-65
Notice:
a) the leaders all gather to watch v53
b) they try to get evidence but find none v55-60
c) Jesus does not answer the false accusations but answers the direct question v61-62
d) the council believe He is blaspheming and therefore condemn him to death v63-65
· focus
The high priest wants to know does Jesus really claim to be the Messiah!? V61.
A direct question: are you the Messiah, the Son of God?
The question has nothing to do with the deity of Jesus, the Messiah was expected to be a man, like the great kings of the past.
Jesus then responds with a very strong affirmation and adds to the meaning of what the Messiah was v62:
Quoting from Ps110v1 and Daniel 7v13, Jesus is claiming divinity as well as Messiah-ship.
Prompting the calls of blasphemy and therefore paving the way for his death v64.
· Note, none of the witness’ provide the evidence that would condemn him!
They greatly want to kill Jesus but they can’t gather the evidence.
In other words Jesus could have escaped even at this point!
But he doesn’t instead he reveals his true nature to his accusers who would do nothing else but condemn him for blasphemy! For it was blasphemy were it not true!!
App
Again we see in Jesus our Gods great love for us. John 3v16 and 1 John 3v16. Rom 5v8.
Love is being committed totally to the good of another.
Jesus shows us how he is committed to our good here.
He gives the evidence the Sanhedrin needed to condemn Him!
Why? Because he knew he had to sacrifice Himself.
He knew he was the Lamb of God (Jh1v29).
Is there any room in our minds then to doubt Gods goodness?
Any room to doubt the goodness of Jesus, submitting his life unto death for us.
3) the denial v66-72 (54 background)
Notice
a) Peter is accused from a source he does not expect – a girl!
b) he denies it straight away and leaves the fireside
c) the girl does not give up in her accusations v69, now telling others
d) he still denies
e) then the crowds begin to accuse him
f) his third denial is more forceful! Not letting his yes be a yes!
g) at the sound of the rooster he realises his guilt! Forcing him to break down!
· focus
V72 Peter remembers that his denial was foretold!
Peter the man of action and bravado, who had pledged allegiance even unto death, yet who could not stay awake in the garden, but who then drew his sword and cut off Malchus ear!
Now brave enough to try to get close to the action again!
But he is undone by the words of a girl!
In the end he realises how he has failed and leaves the scene in tears!!
App
a) Peter stands as a warning to us:
Peter was rubbish! He failed his Lord!
He stands as a warning to us. He had the Lord as his teacher for three years, he had warning after warning about what would happen to his Lord and what he would do.....
But he still failed the test miserably! Why?
The immediate cause was the unexpected source of the attack – the girl!
Perhaps Peter was on the lookout for some strong man to have a confrontation with?!
But not this puny little girl!
That aside he fell because of his idolatry!
He relied on his own ability, his own power v29-31!!
1Cor10v12-14 Peter was committing idolatry by relying on himself!
b) Peter also stands as a great encouragement for us!
Not only did he fail, he was humbled and restored.
He recognised his sin and grieved over it. And his Faithful Victorious Lord restored him 16v7!
Ultimately what we see is our gracious Lord.
Though we may commit the most horrible of offences before Jesus, He is the One who remains faithful.
We may be poor witnesses, we may even deny him with cursing, but if we turn to Him for forgiveness he will most definitely deal with us in mercy!!
sunday evening service 20th June 2010
2 kings 6v24-7v20
Context: following Elisha’s capture of the Syrian army and then their release by the king there had been a time of peace, but now things were again looking bleak for Israel!
The Syrians were back and about to destroy the capital city!
To help get a handle on this story we will look at it in three scenes:
1) v24-31 describe the desperate situation (life under divine judgement)
Ben-hadad had come to make war with Israel!
His strategy was to besiege the city until the enemy gave up! And it was working, the Israelites were beginning to despair. Demand was high, supply was low, prices were skyrocketing! Desperate measures were being taken! Mothers eating sons!!
The king was wearing sackcloth against his skin – a sign of repentance and still nothing was changing!! Eventually he seek the head of Elisha!
App
The northern kingdom of Israel were living life without God and were judged by God through the invading forces (2Kings 5v1).
The only thing to do during such times was to seek God in repentance trusting that he would intervene.
During times of spiritual difficulty and hardship what must we do?
Endure / persevere / keep on going !! Heb 10v36.
The temptation is to blame others – Elisha for example! Or to give up or to despair or to resort to sinful measures!!
But if we endure salvation will be won! Heb12v1-3.
2) v32-7v2 describe the rage at God for the trouble and lessons for times of trouble.
Notice:
the scene is difficult to understand at first.
But is seems that the king in his desperation had sent for Elisha’s head but then realised his mistake and gone to Elisha himself to seek help in the situation. And the Word comes that deliverance is on the way – just hold on for another 24 hours! But the captain of the king denies Gods word – perhaps he longs for the king to order the beheading of Elisha!
Focus:
a) Elisha’s insight – God revealed to him what was going to happen.
b) the frank honest questions of faith from the king
c) the Word of God brings mercy and judgement.
App
How can we have some of the insight and wisdom of Elisha?
· By keeping close to the bible!
2Tim3v15 – the word of scripture can make us wise about salvation
· Be honest with God in our struggles.
God is not afraid of complaint! But he wants us to hold onto faith at the same time.
Think of how often the psalmist asks God the hard questions! (Ps10v1, 42v9, 44v23-24 74v188v14... )
· Believe the word, rely upon it and obey it.
Look also to the promises of scripture. God is near Ps 27v10, 34v18, 94v14, 147v2-3,
Remember to the responsibility that having the word brings. The captain mocked Gods word and was punished for it! Even a little bit of unbelief is a serious matter!
3) 7v3-20 describe the Miraculous Salvation!
The scene shifts to focus on how the deliverance comes.
As is often God’s way he uses the unexpected people, the overlooked people: lepers in this case!
They come to see their hopeless plight and decide to risk surrender – if they die they die!
They get up early to escape and “behold” – signals God is at work!!
The horses and chariots of the Lord had chased the Syrians away! V6-7 Gods intervention.
V8 the lepers go from having nothing to having everything! Salvation full and free!
V9 Then they realise their responsibility to tell the Good News!! They have to tell the kings household!
V10- 15 the story is checked out and found to be true
V16 the people go out for their free salvation.
V17-20 conclude with the story of how the captain is killed in the food stamped
Focus
Salvation is delivered to those who expected none: the lepers
The salvation is full and free: food, money and clothing.
The good news had to be shared.
App
What a picture of salvation this story offers us today.
Salvation is moving from death to life, from famine to feast.
Without Jesus we have no life with God, we are as good as dead.
But the great good news is that God wants to give us life: he wants to feed us, cloth us, provide for us!
And no matter who you are you can enter into Gods salvation!
But how much better is the Salvation we have in Jesus.
Life to the full, eternal life, forgiveness of sin, heaven etc
How much more then do we have to tell others!!
And we can tell no matter who we are! God delights to use the seemingly foolish things of this world to work through!
What an encouragement this is to tell people even this week about our Good News!
We can’t keep it to ourselves – Gods great Saviour Jesus, we must tell the world!
